Plan to develop gym site
A former gym in Shrewsbury could be knocked down and turned into a supermarket and primary care centre as part of a revamp of the Ditherington area. A former gym in Shrewsbury could be knocked down and turned into a supermarket and primary care centre as part of a revamp of the Ditherington area. The Fitness First gym in St Michael's Street has been lying empty since it was closed in September, when bosses decided not to renew the lease on the building, which is owned by Morris Property. Morris Property has applied for planning permission to demolish the five buildings which make up the gym. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Fitness First gym in St Michael's Street" class="imageframe alignright" height="130" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/fitness.jpg" width="175"/>A former gym in Shrewsbury could be knocked down and turned into a supermarket and primary care centre as part of a revamp of the Ditherington area.The Fitness First gym in St Michael's Street has been lying empty since it was closed in September, when bosses decided not to renew the lease on the building, which is owned by Morris Property.
Morris Property has applied for planning permission to demolish the five buildings which make up the gym.
Officers at Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council have recommended the application for approval at tonight's meeting, after the agent for the developer said the appearance of the buildings - originally a gas works complex - was detrimental to the area.
The development would be near Persimmon Homes's 189-home estate as well as the multi-million pound development planned at the Flax Mill.
The agent states: "It is considered this redevelopment will contribute to the regeneration in the town.
"There are ground condition and contamination problems on site and no buildings worthy of retention."
But the council has received three objections, including one from the Cornmill Residents Association.
Concerns include a lack of information on what will go on the site and when, what the impact of future development would be and problems from contamination during works, disturbance and possible land movement.
Wayne Baraball, head of planning, said: "The application is to knock down Fitness First.
"The proposal behind knocking the buildings down is so the owners can clear up the land and get rid of all the contamination and to do that the buildings have to go.
"It used to be the old town gas works so there's major contamination and the site needs to be cleared up and Morris Property is considering redevelopment ideas.
"In terms of the redevelopment scheme, there needs to be a clear up of the site first and they will come up with a planning application, perhaps next year, for development.
"We are hoping when we get the proposals in for it, it will form part of the regeneration of the area and help to carry out the Northern Regeneration study and it's all fitting into the development along that corridor," he added.
Robin Morris, director of Morris and Company, said: "We are currently in the process of negotiating with the planning department for a supermarket and primary care centre at this site."